Being Tourists in our own hometown!

Even we should be tourists once in a while, so off we went to see the flowers at the Biltmore Estate. As you can see, awesome! (Not that the program will allow me to insert the pictures! I'll get back to you with photos!--And see, there they are!)

Atlanta is HOT!

I guess the folks from Atlanta think we are nuts for going there for our "fun" weekend, but lemme tell ya, you can have a ball there if you just do a little homework before you go. For example, we discovered http://www.5seasonsbrewing.com/ 5600 Roswell Rd NE # 21Atlanta, GA 30342(404) 255-5911Get directions a couple of trips back. The food is superb (try the kobe sirloin!) and the beer rivals any we have in AVL! For those of you with sophisticated GPS devices, you have no excuse. Just be aware that the shopping center that surrounds the place is now under construction, but the valet parking is now complimentary. They also had a huge screen tv over the bar so I could watch the NCAA tournament.

We usually plan for one major event when we go there, baseball, football, etc., and now the Georgia Aquarium is open, and is a good example of what charitable contributions can do: Billie and Bernie Marcus (Susan's parents, for those of you in AVL) of Home Depot fame, donated most of the money and Coke donated the land. It is right square in the middle of downtown, kind of in front of the Georgia Dome. Next time I will take MARTA. Parking is $10, MARTA for four is $7.50. I will put in some photos later, as they are on the laptop. The Premium pkg. ticket is $29.50. It is quite an experience! Takes about 3 hours to make it through the various sections. I hope you like the photo of the people looking at the jellyfish (when I get it posted).

While there this time, we discovered a restaurant that is probably fairly well-known in Atlanta, but really popular in the Decatur neighbborhood, The Brick Store Pub: http://www.brickstorepub.com/ 125 E Court sqAtlanta, GA 30030(404) 687-0990 Get directions. It is on the town square in Decatur.

Here we are and here it is:

Ray & Tammy

From the front, and from upstairs at the Belgian Beer lounge (I think they call it that. All the beers there are Belgian type, and most are high graviety (read expensive). This is us in the corner upstairs:

This contraption is in the restroom. It is a hand drier that will actually dry your hands-in record time!

So, if you are looking for a pleasurable weekend, Atlanta awaits. Don't forget the High Museum of Art, either.

Want to do your own foodie search? Go to www.chowhound.com; ask and it shall be reported to you.

Collard Festival 2008

The 2008 Collard Festival!

The CF began as an effort to provide an opportunity for our friends from more northern climes (Yankees for short), to experience some down-home Southern cooking. Collards, and sweet-potato casseroles, just don't grow well in Plattsberg, NY, or Pittsburgh, PA! The 2008 CF if a renewal of the CF after a two year hiatus, during which the fight against cancer got our undivided attention.

Each year we try to invite a new person(s) who we think can add something to the mix, personality-wise, and for sure, cooking-wise. Boy, did we score big this year! The new hero of the CF was Leslie, a New Orleans born/raised girl who would embarass Chef Prudhomme at his own game! Her hors d'oeuvres were stuffed jalepenos wrapped in bacon, and some huge sausage balls made with chicken too. We were afraid folks might skip dinner!

Then the crowd begins to arrive, and, naturally, everyone wants to be in the kitchen!! And, they were!

And the house was set up for guests. (This is just one photo-there were three "dining rooms"!

Meanwhile, the not-so-famous "Chef-da-BBQ" set up his equipment outside and got serious about some genuine "down East" style NC BBQ! (Note the nuclear engineer whose assignment, performed expertly, was to assemble the pre-cooker charcoal grill!)

Note PBR, a BBQ essential!

In the kitchen, things are proceeding apace-as you can see, we all have a job-now at a frantic,

well not quite frantic, pace.

Outside, things are lookin' good!

And sure enough, we did eat-a lot-and enjoyed it all! We are especially thankful for all our friends who come and contribute to this annual event, and to my BBQ-ing supervisor, for which nothing can happen in the yard without "Woodie"!

And last, but not least, our gratitude to JW, one of the world's great collard cookers, hostess and wife!